Hushovd Takes World Championship!

Thunder heard around the world. For several months, sprinters like Mark Cavendish have been changing their mind back and forth about whether or not they had a chance at this year's World's course in Geelong. Cav alone must have released a half dozen press statements saying "Don't count me out" and "Maybe it is too tough." The latter turned out to be true, as Cav was nowhere to be found at the conclusion of the race. Many of the other sprinters like Farrar and Greipel suffered similar fates, but there has always been one who has stood out from the rest. Defined by his large stature and stamina, the Norwegian God of Thunder held on with the vigorous pace set by the peloton and then turned on the speed burst at the end to take one of his final yet possibly his greatest victory of his career. Hushovd defied all logic, as no sprinter (even him) was expected to be near the front at the end of the race much less contend for the win. It seemed even less likely for Thor when he and the rest of the peloton were scrambling frantically to keep up with a chaotic flurry of attacks, the most daring coming from Philippe Gilbert.

Gilbert, the heavy pre-race favorite, launched a daring "all or nothing" attack on the final lap of the race and fell just a few kilometers short after another group lead by hometown favorite Cadel Evans caught up and eventually slowed them back into the peloton. Both Gilbert and Evans gave it their best efforts to regroup, but it was just not meant to be. Hushovd seemed to have the advantage at that point, but it is important to remember that he was not the only sprinter who survived the attacks. Thor had his work cut out for him, going against young fast men Grega Bole and Romain Feillu, Australian crowd-favorite Allan Davis, and World Championships legend Oscar Freire. Thor handled them all rather easily (or at least he made it look that way) and the Geelong crowd was treated to a signature finish line roar. This was the ultimate cap to a decent season that saw Thor take home a stage in both the Tour and the Vuelta as well as 2nd at Paris-Roubaix and his national road race. Nothing quite compares to the rainbow jersey, which Thor will have the privelage of wearing throughout the year next year.

1. Thor Hushovd

2. Matti Breschel

3. Allan Davis

4. Filippo Pozzato

5. Greg Van Avermaet

6. Oscar Freire

7. Alexandr Kolobnev

8. Assan Bazayev

9. Yukiya Arashiro

10. Romain Feillu